Michigan Football: Denard Robinson and More Keys to a Wolverine Win over Alabama

The No. 8-ranked Michigan Wolverines will be taking on the No. 2-ranked defending national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in a neutral-site showdown on Saturday night.

This epic game will have national championship implications and the outcome will impact the entire collegiate football landscape.

If the Wolverines—who are currently a 14-point underdog according to ScoresAndOdds.com—are going to pull off a massive upset, they’ll need to execute a few things perfectly.

Let’s take a look at those.

Commit No Turnovers, Force Turnovers

As a team, the Wolverines simply can’t afford to cough the ball up. Alabama is built on taking the rock away from their opposition and pounding it down their throat on the other end.

Michigan has to counter that by moving the chains and only taking calculated risks; and that goes for both sides of the field.

The defense must make plays and force ‘Bama to fumble or throw interceptions if they want to win this.

Shoelace

Denard Robinson is the player who has to be at his best if Michigan is going to even keep this close.

He’s one of the most dynamic offensive forces in all of college football and has to get his Heisman campaign kick started with a monster game against one of the best defenses in the land.

Robinson will have to torch the Crimson Tide via the air and use his quick feet to keep his offense on the field as much as possible.

A poor game from Robinson would equal an easy Alabama blowout.

Contain the Tide’s Rush

Because of the sheer size and experience of the Alabama offensive line, you can expect coach Nick Saban will rely heavily on his rushing attack in this game.

Michigan has an undersized front line, so these young men will have to play their hearts out to make up for the weight differential.

If ‘Bama gets rolling on the ground, it will spell doom for the Wolverines.